The Lakers won their 16th NBA championship, dramatically rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Celtics in Game 7. Kobe Bryant scored 23 points despite 6-of-24 shooting while winning his fifth title with the Lakers , who repeated as champs for the first time since winning three straight from 2000-02.

"This one is by far the sweetest, because it's them. This was the hardest one by far. I wanted it so bad, and sometimes when you want it so bad, it slips away from you. My guys picked me up."

— Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, after winning his fifth NBA title and first against the Celtics.

Truth comes out after Kobe’s fifth title

The affable, grinning father who appeared with his wife and two young daughters – their matching sparkle dresses reflecting off his newly-earned MVP trophy – was a marked departure from the distant, dour superstar who had deigned to grace us with his presence these last two months.